Ezekiel 20:21

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my iudgements to doe them, which if a man doe, hee shall euen liue in them; they polluted my Sabbaths: then I said I would powre out my furie vpon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wildernesse. Ezekiel 20:21 (KJV)

The book of Ezekiel contains prophecies and visions given by God to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian captivity. In chapter 20, Ezekiel addresses the rebellious history of the Israelites and their persistent disobedience towards God, recounting Israel’s history of rebellion from the time of the Exodus through the wilderness and up to the exile.

Historical Background: The verse refers to the Israelites’ disobedience during their time in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. It is also part of a broader prophetic discourse delivered during the exile, emphasizing God’s judgment concerning the promised land.

Rebellion and Disobedience: The verse highlights the Israelites’ rebellion against God’s authority and their failure to follow His statutes and judgments. While the chapter as a whole highlights Israel’s repeated rebellion against God’s authority, verse 21 focuses on the consequence of those evils—denial of residence in the land—rather than enumerating particular sins such as Sabbath violation. This pattern of disobedience led to God’s anger and His intention to pour out His fury upon them.

The Importance of God’s Statutes: God’s statutes and judgments were given to guide the Israelites in righteous living and to establish a covenant relationship with Him. God’s statutes and judgments are central themes throughout Ezekiel 20, guiding the Israelites toward covenant faithfulness. By rejecting and disregarding these commandments, the Israelites were effectively rejecting their covenant with God and inviting His judgment.

The Significance of the Sabbath: The Sabbath was a holy day set apart by God as a sign of the covenant between Him and His people. By profaning the Sabbath, the Israelites were showing disrespect towards God’s commandments and failing to honor the special relationship they had with Him. The Sabbath is mentioned elsewhere in Ezekiel 20 as part of Israel’s covenant obligations, but it is not referenced in verse 21.

God’s Judgment: In response to the Israelites’ rebellion, God declared that He would pour out His fury upon them to accomplish His anger. In response to the Israelites’ cumulative evils, God declares that they shall not dwell in the land, indicating a judgment that will be realized during the exile and its aftermath. This indicates that God would carry out His judgment and punishment upon the disobedient Israelites, likely through various trials and hardships they would face during their time in the wilderness.

Overall: Ezekiel 20:21 emphasizes the Israelites’ rebellion and disobedience, particularly regarding their failure to observe God’s statutes and desecrate the Sabbath, and it also underscores God’s pronouncement that, because of the people’s evils, they will be denied inheritance of the land. It reveals God’s response of pouring out His fury as a consequence of their actions, fitting within the chapter’s larger theme of Israel’s rebellion and the resulting divine judgment.